Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Murder in the Secret Garden (Book Retreat, Bk 3) on + 660 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
I am so excited to be back in Storyton and to wander the beautiful gardens. No cell phones, no computers, no deadlines, a vacation from the rat race surrounded by books, books and more books.
The Medieval Herbalists are guests at Storyton Hall and when one their bodies is found floating down the river Jane and the Finns are on the case. The suspects are many but they are up to weeding out the murderer.
Ellery Adams continues to create stories that surpass the last. The mysteries of the secret garden at Storyton bring us straight back to the classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It makes me want to find my old copy and reread it yet again because I am sure there are more correlations the author referenced that I have since forgotten.
We already know what an amazing place Storyton Hall is from the first two books in this series that now we travel the gardens and a very special garden makes the place even more idyllic. I particularly enjoyed the way Jane's sons, Hemi and Fitz start out hating helping their mother weed the garden but soon become totally invested when a little cash is offered and they start to learn about the plants and get excited about the bounty the gardens produce. Being covered in dirt from head to toe and having so much fun.
In addition to the Steward family's life at such a wonderful place Adams gives us a fantastic mystery to sink our teeth into. The suspect pool is pretty full but as each one is eliminated Jane feels she is missing something. The motive just doesn't seem to be what it appears. She keeps digging until all the clues and secrets are revealed and even then she has a couple of loose ends. This was a tough one to figure out. I also still think there is more to the overall Book Retreat Mystery story. I can't put my finger on it yet, but there is something there.
It is also interesting that Storyton Hall has its own set of investigators, The Finns, staff members who are more than who they appear to be to the guests. They "work" with the police in their own way but they always seek out answers most times before even alerting the authorities. This time part of the crimes happen out of the local jurisdiction and I was a bit surprised there was more fallout from their actions.
This is a series that needs to be read in order to fully enjoy each story. They are also stories to savor and not rush through because this author knows her stuff and drops hints than can appear to be insignificant at first but can be very important as the mystery continues.
I loved my latest retreat to Storyton. I anticipate some excellent visits in the future. I recommend you book your retreat to Storyton as soon as possible and enjoy your little break from the stress of every day life.
I am so excited to be back in Storyton and to wander the beautiful gardens. No cell phones, no computers, no deadlines, a vacation from the rat race surrounded by books, books and more books.
The Medieval Herbalists are guests at Storyton Hall and when one their bodies is found floating down the river Jane and the Finns are on the case. The suspects are many but they are up to weeding out the murderer.
Ellery Adams continues to create stories that surpass the last. The mysteries of the secret garden at Storyton bring us straight back to the classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It makes me want to find my old copy and reread it yet again because I am sure there are more correlations the author referenced that I have since forgotten.
We already know what an amazing place Storyton Hall is from the first two books in this series that now we travel the gardens and a very special garden makes the place even more idyllic. I particularly enjoyed the way Jane's sons, Hemi and Fitz start out hating helping their mother weed the garden but soon become totally invested when a little cash is offered and they start to learn about the plants and get excited about the bounty the gardens produce. Being covered in dirt from head to toe and having so much fun.
In addition to the Steward family's life at such a wonderful place Adams gives us a fantastic mystery to sink our teeth into. The suspect pool is pretty full but as each one is eliminated Jane feels she is missing something. The motive just doesn't seem to be what it appears. She keeps digging until all the clues and secrets are revealed and even then she has a couple of loose ends. This was a tough one to figure out. I also still think there is more to the overall Book Retreat Mystery story. I can't put my finger on it yet, but there is something there.
It is also interesting that Storyton Hall has its own set of investigators, The Finns, staff members who are more than who they appear to be to the guests. They "work" with the police in their own way but they always seek out answers most times before even alerting the authorities. This time part of the crimes happen out of the local jurisdiction and I was a bit surprised there was more fallout from their actions.
This is a series that needs to be read in order to fully enjoy each story. They are also stories to savor and not rush through because this author knows her stuff and drops hints than can appear to be insignificant at first but can be very important as the mystery continues.
I loved my latest retreat to Storyton. I anticipate some excellent visits in the future. I recommend you book your retreat to Storyton as soon as possible and enjoy your little break from the stress of every day life.
Malka E. (huskyshep) reviewed Murder in the Secret Garden (Book Retreat, Bk 3) on + 113 more book reviews
i totally enjoyed my stay in Storyton!
i wish whodunit, hadn't, but i enjoyed the book anyways!
and all the subplots!
i wish whodunit, hadn't, but i enjoyed the book anyways!
and all the subplots!
Beverly B. (baeb47) -
I didn't see the murderer coming. This book kept me guessing until the very end. A very enjoyable book. I'm jealous of the secret library in this series. Love the Fins and the Guardian.
Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed Murder in the Secret Garden (Book Retreat, Bk 3) on + 319 more book reviews
I really like this series with a mom of twins who is a resort manager and a kind of secret agent. Many interesting facts about herbs and their uses. What I found lacking in this book compared to the others in the series was some of the subplots left hanging. Who won that rubber duck race?
Murder in the Secret Garden by Ellery Adams is the third book in A Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane Steward, resort manager, is getting ready for a wedding at Storyton Hall as well as The Medieval Herbalist group (who are all knowledgeable in poisons). The bride, Victoria Billingsley and her sister, Hannah are members of the group. In the Henry James Library, Mr. Sinclair has a rare herbal manuscript on display for the group (from their secret collection). Jane's boys (Fitz and Hem) are excited about the inaugural rubber duck race to take place in town in the Storyton River. The race is sponsored by Storyton Outfitters, a new shop, owned by Phil and Sandy Hughes (the duck descriptions and names are humorous). When Jane's uncle favorite hat falls into the river, Jane volunteers to capture it for him. Jane finds the hat along with the body of Kira Grace, a guest from Storyton Hall and a member of The Medieval Herbalist. Jane hopes that this does not put a damper upon the wedding festivities and rallies the Fins to investigate Kira's death. Things take an unexpected turn when Edwin Alcott returns (just as Jane finds Kira's body). Jane is not sure what she feels for Edwin. Is he a book thief? Why radio silence for the last four months? But Jane has a full plate and no time to speculate (rhyming unintentional). The wedding goes off without a hitch and the reception is lovely with its Hildegard von Bingen's theme. Jane is enjoying the event until Mr. Sinclair informs her that the rare herbal manuscript they had on display has been stolen (not good). What else can happen? The next day the Medieval Herbalist take a trip into the hills to visit a druid. Claude Mason, president of the group, talked Tom Green (owns the local nursery) into taking them (despite the fact that the druid does not tolerate visitors). Jane is curious and follows along behind the herbalists. After they leave, Jane hears screaming coming from the druid's cabin. The poor man was poisoned with wedding cake. Is his murder related to Kira's death? Jane is even more determined to find who is responsible for the murders and theft (and deflect attention from Storyton Hall). Join Jane and the Fins on their investigation in Murder in the Secret Garden!
Murder in the Secret Garden captured my interest from the very first page, and I did not want to stop reading (I stayed up until I finished the novel). The book has developed characters, a wonderful setting (a retreat full of books), and a complex mystery. The novel is easy to read and has a good pace (flow). While Murder in the Secret Garden is the third book in the series, you can read it as a stand-alone. The author gives the reader the needed background information on Jane and her family, Storyton Hall, and the mission of the Fins. Though I highly suggest you go and read the other book in A Book Retreat Mystery series. They are wonderful. I give Murder in the Secret Garden 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it as you can tell). I was able to solve the mysteries (the two murders and the theft of the book). They were complex with lots of twists and turns. You have to pay very close attention to the details to be able to figure them out. I loved the description of Storyton Hall. The room names are all literary. If Storyton Hall was real, I would never want to leave. The Harry Potter references (and the games played by the boys) were entertaining (made me laugh) especially when the Fitz and Hem were playing with the mandrake root. I look forward to reading the next book in A Book Retreat Mystery series.
I received a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Murder in the Secret Garden captured my interest from the very first page, and I did not want to stop reading (I stayed up until I finished the novel). The book has developed characters, a wonderful setting (a retreat full of books), and a complex mystery. The novel is easy to read and has a good pace (flow). While Murder in the Secret Garden is the third book in the series, you can read it as a stand-alone. The author gives the reader the needed background information on Jane and her family, Storyton Hall, and the mission of the Fins. Though I highly suggest you go and read the other book in A Book Retreat Mystery series. They are wonderful. I give Murder in the Secret Garden 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it as you can tell). I was able to solve the mysteries (the two murders and the theft of the book). They were complex with lots of twists and turns. You have to pay very close attention to the details to be able to figure them out. I loved the description of Storyton Hall. The room names are all literary. If Storyton Hall was real, I would never want to leave. The Harry Potter references (and the games played by the boys) were entertaining (made me laugh) especially when the Fitz and Hem were playing with the mandrake root. I look forward to reading the next book in A Book Retreat Mystery series.
I received a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
